Xi calls for effective implementation of climate deal

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said China and France should work with all parties to effectively carry out the historic climate accord reached in Paris.

During a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Francois Hollande, Xi said the Paris deal has charted a clear course for global cooperation on coping with climate change from 2020, Xinhua news agency reported.

He expressed appreciation for the tremendous efforts made by France as the host of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21), saying China has also made its contribution to ensuring the success of the meeting.

The success of the Paris conference showed that the international community is capable of solving major global issues through cooperation and dialogue, he added.

On China-France relations, Xi noted that the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership has achieved a new progress this year.

The Chinese president voiced his hope that China and France would maintain political exchanges and strategic mutual trust, deepen cooperation in various fields, boost the improvement of global governance, and conduct close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues in 2016.

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with France within the framework of the Group of Twenty (G20) and jointly accelerate global economic growth, Xi said.

Echoing Xi’s comments on France-China ties, Hollande voiced appreciation for Xi’s attendance at the opening ceremony of the Paris climate conference and China’s outstanding contribution to the conclusion of the Paris agreement on climate change.

Hollande said the Paris agreement was powerful and ambitious and has met the common interests of the international community.

All parties should work together to effectively implement the Paris agreement and strive to achieve the targets set by the Paris conference, he said.

The Paris agreement also offered a new prospect for deeper cooperation between France and China in fields such as green growth and civilian nuclear power, he said.

The French president noted that France agrees to strengthen cooperation with China in international affairs and will fully support China’s hosting of the 2016 G20 summit in the eastern city of Hangzhou on September 4-5.